Synthesis of zeolite A using the waste of iron mine tailings dam and its application for industrial effluent treatment

Authors

Juliana de Carvalho Izidoro, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, travessa 3, No. 380, 05508-010, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Michelle Caroline Kim, Colégio Dante Alighieri, Macro Area of the Sciences of the Nature, Alameda Jaú, 1061, CEP 01420-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Valentina Ferraraccio Bellelli, Colégio Dante Alighieri, Macro Area of the Sciences of the Nature, Alameda Jaú, 1061, CEP 01420-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Mara Cristina Pane, Colégio Dante Alighieri, Macro Area of the Sciences of the Nature, Alameda Jaú, 1061, CEP 01420-002, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, travessa 3, No. 380, 05508-010, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, travessa 3, No. 380, 05508-010, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, travessa 3, No. 380, 05508-010, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Author ORCID Identifier

Juliana de Carvalho Izidoro 0000-0002-3466-5196

Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior 0000-0002-3421-6286

Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório 0000-0002-7849-7470

Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa 0000-0003-2359-9485

Abstract

In November 2015, a dam from iron mining collapsed, which is considered as the largest environmental accident in Brazil. Over than 50 million m³ were released reaching the Doce River and killed 20 people in Mariana. The literature review shows that the mining tailings can be used as raw material to the synthesis of zeolites, which can be used for the wastewater treatment. The aim of this work was the synthesis of zeolites from the Samarco tailings and its application for the treatment of electroplating effluent. The residue was characterized which identified high-iron content for the synthesis of zeolites. The residue was mixed with NaOH (1:1) and the reaction temperature was evaluated from 350 °C to 650 °C. Then, the material was mixed with aluminum source and the effect of time was evaluated. The zeolite was applied to the wastewater treatment from electroplating industry. Results showed that the synthesis of zeolite A was carried out with a fusion step at 450 °C for 1 h using RAS: NaOH ratio 1:1, and further hydrothermal treatment at 100 °C during 4 h. The zinc removal from the wastewater was up to 98% using 50 mL of the solution, 2.5 g zeolite A, 60min and pH 6.4. The main metals presented in the solution were adsorbed up to 90% by the zeolite synthesized. Zinc adsorption by the zeolite fitted better on Langmuir isotherm. The zeolite was used four times in a row and zinc removal declined 98–68%.

Recommended Citation

Izidoro, Juliana de Carvalho; Kim, Michelle Caroline; Bellelli, Valentina Ferraraccio; Pane, Mara Cristina; Botelho Junior, Amilton Barbosa; Romano Espinosa, Denise Crocce; and Soares Tenório, Jorge Alberto (2019) "Synthesis of zeolite A using the waste of iron mine tailings dam and its application for industrial effluent treatment," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 18 : Iss. 4 , Article 12.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1114

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